newjerseynewsroom.com

Doctor was a professor of surgery at UMDNJ

Gov. Chris Christie Wednesday signed legislation that renames the New Jersey Trauma Center at University Hospital in Newark the "Eric Munoz Trauma Center," after the late Republican Assemblyman from Union County.

Munoz was a trauma surgeon at the center and also a professor of surgery at the UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School, where he worked from 1988 until his death on March 30, 2009.

"Eric Munoz was a dedicated public servant, a skilled and respected surgeon and teacher, and a friend who is dearly missed to this day," Christie said at a bill-signing ceremony in Newark. "Today, I am honored to take this action to honor and continue his memory in a small but significant way. As anyone who was fortunate enough to cross paths with Eric knows, his memory and legacy are best remembered through the work he dedicated himself to — the people he saved and the countless lives he improved through his work as a surgeon and a lawmaker."

Christie was joined by Assemblywoman Nancy Munoz (R-Union), the late Assemblyman's widow, and members of the Munoz family.

The legislation was sponsored by Senators Robert Gordon (D-Bergen), Tom Kean Jr. (R-Essex), Teresa Ruiz (D-Essex) and Assembly members Connie Wagner (D-Bergen), Jon Bramnick (R-Monmouth), Albert Coutinho (D-Essex), Annette Quijano (D-Union) and Frederick Scalera (D-Essex).

University Hospital is the principal teaching hospital of UMDNJ. The trauma center provides clinical service, research, and education, and is a leader in the advancement of trauma care in the country.

— TOM HESTER SR., NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM